UC Berkeley SkyDeck startup accelerator is now accepting applications for Batch 13 cohort; 20 accepted startups will receive $105,000 funding

UC Berkeley SkyDeck, the global startup accelerator of the University of California at Berkeley, has opened the application period for its upcoming Batch 13 program for startups. Around 20 accepted startups will receive $105,000 funding along with other benefits. Applications for Batch 13 are open from August 1, 2021, to September 5, 2021.

With the start of Batch 13, the SkyDeck accelerator is opening its physical doors for the first time since the pandemic shut down, mixing both in-person and remote programs and events.

“While we were forced to work remotely during the pandemic, we came together, supported one another like never before, and proved to be a really successful program for our two remote cohorts,” said Caroline Winnett, SkyDeck’s executive director. “As we prepare for Batch 13, we’re thrilled we can welcome impressive innovators back to the SkyDeck penthouse and be together again.”

The highly competitive SkyDeck accelerator is thriving. This summer two SkyDeck startup alums announced significant funding for their AI technologies: SuperAnnotate secured a $14.5 million Series A to help annotate, train, and automate the computer vision pipeline for companies and Obviously.Al raised $4.7 million for their no-code AI/ML platform that enables people without technical backgrounds to build and train machine learning models.

“I left my job and home country to pursue building my startup, which was a risky endeavor,” said SuperAnnotate CEO Tigran Petrosyan. “We closed our first customers during our time at SkyDeck thanks to SkyDeck connections and have since raised nearly $19 million total. SkyDeck’s support has been invaluable through the whole process.”

The accelerator’s three specialized tracks include aerospace, semiconductor chip technology, and biotechnology. Biotechnology includes a synergistic relationship with UC Berkeley’s new Bakar BioEnginuity Hub, the university’s full-service life science incubator.

Accepted Batch 13 cohort startups receive $105,000 from the accelerator’s investment partner, the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund in exchange for a 5% equity share. Since 2018, the fund has invested in more than 130 startup companies with a total market value of more than $3.1 billion.

“During the pandemic, our program actually expanded and provided unparalleled resources, investments, and opportunities for our startup teams,” said Chon Tang, SkyDeck Fund managing partner. “Our fund continues to invest in powerful, world-changing ideas and technologies from around the globe.”

In addition to the $105,000 investment from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, Cohort (accelerator track) startups receive free and discounted services valued at $750,000 and access to 350 top advisors and mentors as they prepare to pitch more than 800 investors on Demo Day. The 100 earlier stage startups selected to the Pad-13 (incubator track) have access to events, mentors, and pitch opportunities to help them grow their innovative ideas and businesses to help them prepare for the accelerator track.

The current SkyDeck Batch 12 cohort has 16 accelerator track startups. Besides the U.S.-based startups, international startups participating are from Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The startups represent a wide range of industries including AI, biotech/MedTech, enterprise, consumer, hardware, robotics, and more.

The deadline to apply for the Batch 13 cohort is September 5, 2021. For more information or to apply, visit Berkeley SkyDeck at http://skydeck.berkeley.edu/.

Below is a video overview of the UC Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator.

ABOUT BERKELEY SKYDECK
Berkeley SkyDeck is a top global accelerator that combines the hands-on mentorship of traditional accelerators with the vast resources of its research university. Participating startups have access to more than 185 advisers, 40 industry partners, and a large network of accredited investors who connect SkyTeams to the expertise and capital they need to launch and grow their world-changing innovations. For more information, see http://skydeck.berkeley.edu/.